News
Social Democratic Party Leader Plans to Join Tokyo Pride Parade - 3 August 2007
 (Tokyo) Social Democratic Party leader, Mizuho Fukushima, will march with LGBT and LGBT supporters on 11 August in the Tokyo Pride Parade, calling for equality and rights for LGBT people.
The event “Let’s go march with Mizuho Hukushima!”, organized by “Let’s go march with Mizuho Hukushima!” Committee will include talks with Fukushima over lunch and then the opportunity to march with her.
Among half of the 242 contested seats in the Upper House, the SDP held 3 seats before the July 29th election. The Party has minority-friendly policies including sexual minorities, however, it obtained only 2 seats, having lost one in the national election last month.
“Life in current Japan isn’t easy, so let’s make society a better place by marching together and putting our energy together!” said Fukushima. Other SDP local assembly members also plan to march with her.
Daiga Ishikawa, a coordinator of the event and an executive director of Peer Friends, the organizer of an event for gay youth, has previous experiences working with the Party leader. “Walking with many friends in the Parade encourages not just LGBT people but also our supporters on the streets. We hope to enjoy this wonderful event with other marchers” said Ishikawa.
The event organizers say “it’s a rare chance to talk directly with Ms. Fukushima over lunch.” They hope many people will walk with them.
The “Let’s go march with Mizuho Hukushima!” Tour costs 1,000 yen which includes a box lunch with a drink has a limitation of 30 people on a first-come-first-served basis. Detailed information on the event can be found at the website (the website is only in Japanese). (Editor Azusa Yamashita, Tom Paine) |
